Train hits pickup, driver walks away from wreck

The White County Sheriff's Office is withholding the name of the driver of a pickup that was hit by a train Monday evening near S&E Auto Salvage west of Carmi, pending the completion of an accident investigation and report.A sheriff's office incident report said law enforcement, rescue and emergency medical personnel ...

The White County Sheriff's Office is withholding the name of the driver of a pickup that was hit by a train Monday evening near S&E Auto Salvage west of Carmi, pending the completion of an accident investigation and report.

A sheriff's office incident report said law enforcement, rescue and emergency medical personnel were initially called to a report of a train versus vehicle collision at the tracks on Burrell Street in Carmi around 6:10 p.m. Monday.

The collision had actually occurred, however, on County Road 900 East north of Illinois 14. The report said a 1992 Chevrolet pickup was southbound on 900 East and was attempting to cross the tracks, which does not have warning signals.

The westbound train struck the pickup just in front of the driver's door, knocking the pickup west of the roadway and on to its top. The driver was out of the truck and walking when EMS personnel arrived. The driver, not identified pending completion of the investigation, refused immediate medical attention, but did appear to have suffered some cuts and bruises. He was later taken by family members for medical treatment.